Dog owners are being warned to take heed of an important deadline, as non-compliance could land them with a £500 fine.
The warning relates to legislation that came into force in 2016. Since it was introduced, microchipping has been compulsory for all dogs aged over eight weeks across England, Wales and Scotland.
Breeders are required to ensure all puppies are microchipped before reaching eight weeks old and must register themselves as the initial owner.
Should a dog warden scan your pet and find it is without a microchip, you will be given 21 days to address the matter. Failing to do so could result in a penalty of up to £500, according to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).
Exceptionally small puppies, or those with certain medical conditions, may be granted a temporary exemption certificate by a vet, allowing microchipping to take place at a later date.
Pet owners must also ensure their animal’s microchip details are kept up to date and registered on a UK government-approved database.
The law further stipulates that dogs must wear a collar displaying a tag bearing the owner’s name and address whenever they are in a public place.
Microchipping generally costs between £10 and £30, is a quick and straightforward procedure, and vastly improves the chances of being reunited with your pet should they go missing.
If you are unsure whether your dog has already been microchipped, your vet will be able to carry out a scan to check.
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